Cons: Flighty, broody, fairly aggressive on the nest. Poor layers of tiny white eggs. Not winter hardy. Do not do well in confinement.
My initial mixed flock included Buttercups. They are a pretty, small bird and the comb gives them a unique look. At least one of the hens was very broody and would peck you rather nastily if you tried to move her to get the eggs she had set on, which was usually only 2-3. Despite their small size they did not do well confined to our 10'x20' covered run. I'm surprised by the reports of them being friendly. I assume that they were handled frequently when growing up. Mine were quite flighty and quick to take cover when I entered the run unlike the Australorps which came to the gate looking for treats and follow me around talking while I refilled feeders and waterers. I lost one to the dog and the other two in a particularly cold winter in the Mid-Atlantic despite having a fully enclosed coop to shelter in that they wouldn't use. the Australorps were fine, roosting in the rafters, but take to shelter when it gets really cold.
If I were able to have a large, free range flock, I wouldn't mind having one or two for decoration, but in these days for endemic avian flu, and having a Russell terrier mix that goes after any bird that gets flighty despite years of training, that's not practical.
Pros: Great egg production even later in life! Fast to start laying large brown eggs. Excellent temperament and personality, docile, friendly, can be great pets, good in mixed flocks. Very hardy, good in confinement, good in free range, talkative but not loud, quick to mature.
Cons: Chicks grow fast and you need a large, escape proof brooder setup.
The Australorp has to be the ultimate backyard chicken.
My first flock was mixed and the Australorps stood out as the best layers, and having the best personality and temperament. Though much larger than the other breeds, they sat in the middle of the pecking order, not that there was much pecking on their part.
After 7 years of neglect, only the Australorps are left. I had figured them to be at the end of their productive life and bought chicks to "replace" them (I can't see Gertrude and Myrtle ending up in a pot), then come Spring they started laying 3-4 eggs each a week down from 5-6 in their peak laying years. Once the new pullets start laying, I'll need to start actively selling to keep from being buried in eggs. Should be able to run a slight profit with them at a bargain price.
They are very friendly and not the least be flighty. They are talkative, but not loud. They always call to me if they see me in the yard asking for treats, which are usually weeds or kitchen scraps. Man, they love weeds and I wish I could let them forage more, but concerns over avian flu and a Russell terrier mix keeps me from letting them forage unsupervised. The dog has finally learned to leave them be for the most part after 3 years, but she got a couple hens before that.
What climate are you in? I loved my Australorps but they only lived 3 to 5 years, except the daughter of one who made it to 8. It gets very hot in north Texas and I always lost them in summer.
I'm in Delaware. It gets miserable hot and humid in the Summer and I've lost track of the times I found them without water, but they do have plenty of shade available in the run.
Australorps are known for heat tolerance as long as they have shade (It gets pretty hot in most of Australia in the summer.). I could see them having trouble with hot sun without shade and sufficient fresh water. Without shade their black plumage absorbs a lot of heat which puts them at risk of heat stroke. They should be fine in hot, dry shade as long as plenty of cool fresh water is available you might need to add electrolytes to the water to make up those lost in respiration. I'd watch for panting, wing lifting and other signs of heat stress which indicate additional cooling procedures are necessary. I found good article on heat stress in chickens https://www.vetpoultry.com/blogs/ba...pot-signs-and-prevent-heat-stress-in-chickens.
I've switched to Americauna but they always had this huge elm tree for shade and a couple of ponds to drink out of. It Does get very very hot and fairly humid in Fort Worth, TX. I loved my Australorps.
I’m very confused, as I just received this product today directly from Brinsea, and it looks like it was put together by a child with a hot glue gun. Globs of glue are everywhere! How is this possible for a product that is suppose to heat up to warm live chicks? I’m surprised I am not finding tons of other reviews saying the same thing. I reached out to the company, and I am yet to hear back. Check out my photos.
Can anyone recommend an alternative? I’m getting 4 chicks (first timer) in a few weeks. Thanks!
Pros: It doesn't fluctuate heat too much when properly stored.
With a good system can maintain humidity very well.
Cheap and cheerful.
Cons: As it is, it's not fantastic, does need modifications.
Cheap machine, does pretty decent job.
I recommend surrounding it with polystyrene excluding the front and using a humidity meter to measure it. This will maintain the temperature far better. I have fit 28 quail eggs in here, way more than the 12 it claims.
Pros: It doesn't fluctuate heat too much when properly stored.
With a good system can maintain humidity very well.
Cheap and cheerful.
Cons: As it is, it's not fantastic, does need modifications.
Cheap machine, does pretty decent job.
I recommend surrounding it with polystyrene excluding the front and using a humidity meter to measure it. This will maintain the temperature far better. I have fit 28 quail eggs in here, way more than the 12 it claims.
I hatched 3 little barbu d'uccles and they're just amazing. Both roosters and pullets, cuddlebugs! Super beautiful, friendly, cute and did I say how pretty they are?
I found it so hard to let go of my boys (no roos here ). They were so sweet.
But my little pullet is amazing!
Pros: Could be fine if you live in a place with no winters (temps below 30 degrees).
Cons: Fell apart the first year. Second year the nesting box fell off. Third year the other nesting box was falling off, so I propped it up with wood. Fourth year it was completely useless.
Everything has warped on this almost-cardboard box. My husband was meticulous about screwing the coop together. He made sure he did it as best he could so the wood would not crack and split. He worked very hard (6 hours) to level the ground beforehand. Panels were falling off in the first year.
Pros: Incredibly EASY to install! I am beginner level in all things handy (36 yo woman) and I installed it all within an hour at 7pm at night using my husbands tools.
No need to charge the battery first. Worked immediately upon install.
Customer service is beyond exceptional. Spoke with one of the owners when I called the phone number. Very friendly and helpful! My question was regarding the type of caulk needed to glue solar panel to plywood. Answer- any standard window caulk. I had exterior/interior caulk handy and had worked wonderfully.
YouTube videos available to watch before install. They were very helpful!
Photo sensor is a light gathering device and it works wonderfully!!
100% made in the US!!
Has worked flawlessly for me!
Cons: Not exactly a con, more like a side note… but Comes with one magnet. If you loose it, you must buy another. Personally, I only needed the magnet to set the door timer and for training the chickens to go to their new coop. Otherwise it is kept on the side of our entryway gun safe. I would hate to loose it since it’s the only one I have but customer service is so great- I don’t see getting a replacement being a big issue.
Originally, I pulled the trigger on the purchase because it was 100% made in the USA and install videos seemed incredibly easy. Figured I could do it myself and let the husband tackle other projects on the endless list.
Well, I loved the pullet shut door from in packaging to install, from install to application! I love it so much I have placed my order for a second door to be installed (by me) on our duck house! I enjoyed the process of installation. Needing only a few building tools like an impact drill, drill bit, leveler and my oscillating multi tool to cut a square into the coop wall. It has works fantastic- the solar panel is effective and esthetically pleasing.
Pros: Cold hardy, ornimental, small, great egg layers, and great foragers.
Cons: Loud strange call. Hard to find decent quality birds.
Spitzhaubens are one of my favorite breeds. I wish I could find better quality birds. Mine roam up the hill into the woods, foraging diligently- instead of going to my neighbor's chicken coop to eat their feed, which they appreciate. The pullets lay well, but their eggs are small. The cockerels are gentle on hens, and not aggressive with me. I plan on getting many more.